Characterization and Antioxidant Activities of Different Solvent Extracts of Philippine Stingless Bee (Tetragonula biroi Friese) Pollen Samples

Abstract

Bee pollen is among the bee products that are considered functional food due to its components exhibiting various biological activities. This study aimed to characterize the volatile compounds present in stingless bee pollen extracted by different solvents using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antioxidant activities and total phenolic content of bee pollen solvent extracts were also determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Folin-Ciocalteu assays, respectively. Fatty acids and esters were detected in ethanolic and methanolic extracts – namely, n-hexadecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester, and 9,12,15-octadecatienal acid ethyl ester (Z,Z,Z). Long-chain hydrocarbons – namely, heptacosane and pentacosane – were detected in dicholoromethane, chloroform, and hexane extracts. Total phenolic content was in the range of 20.43 ± 2.78 to 371.66 ± 11.26 mg GAE/g, with ethanolic and methanolic extracts having the highest amounts detected. Antioxidant activities IC50 values ranged from 5.69 ± 0.74 to 153.90 ± 13.43 mg/mL, with ethanol and methanol exhibiting the highest activities. Hence, bee pollen is a potential source of antioxidant and phenolic compounds. © 2023, Department of Science and Technology. All rights reserved.